Fundamentals Academy Session 2: Advocacy 101

Note: This year, Catalyst will be offering our Fundamentals Academy as a certificate program. Participants that join all four sessions will receive a certificate of completion.

Much of our time is spent fine-tuning effective grantmaking and investment practices, but how many of us look at the policies that create a need for grantmaking? This session explores a powerful tool that is available to you and your grantees/investees: advocacy. While funding can address impacts that have already occurred, changes in public policy yield a new environment that creates opportunity and prevents disproportionate outcomes in people’s lives. Simply put, advocacy leverages the impact of available funds so you can stretch your grant dollars and see more far-reaching results.

Join us to learn how advocacy can amplify the work you do, as well as how to navigate legal, strategic, and governance considerations. We will also review the Do’s and Don’ts of advocacy, debunking common misconceptions.

Target Audience

This program is designed for members of Catalyst. If you are interested in Catalyst membership, please contact [email protected].

Catalyst is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. Please let us know how we can help you fully participate by contacting [email protected]. 

Speakers

Rhiannon McAfee | Consultant, Public Policy | Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties

Rhiannon McAfee has over 20 years of experience in public policy and advocacy, including with Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and its associated Action Fund; as the regional field director for the successful No on Propositions 73, 85, and 4 campaigns; as the statewide campaign manager and spokesperson for No on 2: Alaskans Against Government Mandates; identifying, cultivating, and supporting state and national efforts to move the progressive agenda forward through the citizens’ initiative process with the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) in Washington DC; and bringing local groups together to increase voter participation with Engage San Diego. McAfee now assists local non-profits with their public policy and advocacy strategy and manages their policy portfolios, campaigns, and plans. An alumni of the first graduating fellows class of the San Diego Leadership Alliance, a graduate of Wellstone’s Advanced Campaign Management School, and one of San Diego Metro Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2012, McAfee has lived in San Diego for over 30 years and is a proud resident of San Diego City Council District 9 with her husband, son, and rescue dog.